UV Index in Gondar, Ethiopia

Last updated: July 2, 2025

Understanding the UV Index in Gondar, Ethiopia, is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing sunburn. With the city's Aw climate, residents and visitors alike experience significant UV exposure, particularly during the peak hours of the day. As the UV Index can soar to a staggering 15 between noon and early afternoon, staying informed about these levels is essential for safeguarding your skin from harmful effects. By recognizing the daily fluctuations in UV intensity, you empower yourself to make informed decisions about sun protection, ensuring that both your outdoor activities and skin remain safe and healthy.

Hourly UV Index in Gondar

The UV Index displays a dramatic rise and fall throughout the day, peaking at 12:00 PM with a striking value of 15. Early morning hours are gentle, starting at a maximum of 1 at 07:00 AM, then escalating to 2 by 08:00 AM. As the sun climbs, it reaches 9 at 10:00 AM and continues its ascent to a critical level of 12 by 11:00 AM. The intensity peaks at 12 PM before maintaining a high of 15 for the next hour. However, as the afternoon wanes, the UV levels gradually decline, dropping to 9 by 3:00 PM, and then tapering off to 1 by 6:00 PM and fading to 0 by 7:00 PM. This highlights the importance of sun protection during midday hours when the UV radiation is at its strongest.

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
Time	UVI	Category	Time to Burn
07:00	1	low	45 min
08:00	2	low	45 min
09:00	5	moderate	30 min
10:00	9	very high	15 min
11:00	12	extreme	10 min
12:00	15	extreme	10 min
13:00	15	extreme	10 min
14:00	12	extreme	10 min
15:00	9	very high	15 min
16:00	5	moderate	30 min
17:00	2	low	45 min
18:00	1	low	45 min
19:00	0	low	45 min

Monthly UV Index Trends in Gondar

The UV Index exhibits significant seasonal variations, with the most critical months for sun exposure being from February to August when values frequently reach 15, indicating an extreme exposure risk and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. January starts with a high index of 12, while December slightly decreases to 10, but still falls within the very high category with a burn time of 15 minutes. Given this data, visitors and residents should exercise caution during high UV periods, particularly from February to August, by wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen regularly, and seeking shade whenever possible to minimize skin damage.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Gondar, Ethiopia

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Gondar. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for Gondar, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare Gondar UV Index with Other Ethiopia Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Gondar compares to other major locations across Ethiopia. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

Gondar's solar exposure compared to other cities in Ethiopia. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mek'ele UVI	12	14	15	15	15	12	13	14	13	13	11	10
Bahir Dar UVI	12	14	15	15	14	12	14	15	13	12	11	10
Gondar	12	14	15	15	15	12	15	15	13	13	12	10
Dire Dawa UVI	13	14	15	15	14	12	14	15	14	12	12	11
Nazret UVI	13	15	15	16	14	12	14	15	14	13	12	11
Addis Ababa UVI	13	15	16	16	15	12	15	16	14	14	13	12